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Commission weighs paddle courts against futsal fields to activate downtown garage rooftop
Summary
Commissioners heard competing proposals to convert the downtown parking-garage rooftop into a revenue-generating recreation hub: a paddle (pádel) operator proposing six covered courts and higher guaranteed rent, and a futsal/soccer operator proposing two 50x100-foot fields with lower upfront cost but steady community use. Staff was directed to study feasibility, structural load and economics.
The City Commission on Sept. 3 heard two competing proposals to activate the rooftop of the downtown parking garage: a paddle (pádel) operator proposing six covered courts and a futsal/soccer operator proposing two 50-by-100-foot synthetic turf fields. Both proponents said the site would generate new downtown foot traffic and additional parking revenue; commissioners asked staff to return with feasibility studies for both concepts.
Camille Padilla, who presented the futsal concept, said the small-sided fields would serve children and adults and increase parking usage downtown. “We'd be able to get city another 50,000 in parking revenue from the patients that come,” Padilla said, adding the proposal would require roughly $600,000 in modular improvements for turf, lighting, drainage and ADA facilities and would be leasable on an hourly basis.
A second proponent focused on paddle courts argued that covering courts and building platforms would multiply revenue. “If we put 6 courts there and we cover them … we can guarantee a $180,000 worth of rent,” the speaker said, describing flexible revenue-share or base-rent options and projecting higher per-hour yields than the futsal model.
Commissioners raised structural, circulation and noise concerns and asked both proposers for more detailed financial models, operational hours and demobilization plans. Mayor Fernandez asked staff to study structural load limits, noise attenuation, the effect on existing leased parking spaces and the time required to demobilize improvements if the pilot fails. Several commissioners emphasized resident access and the downtown economic spillover from weekday evening and weekend use.
The commission did not award a contract. Instead it directed the city manager and city attorney to return with a feasibility analysis and “best and final” proposals from both teams, including cost/benefit models with and without use of the intermediate garage ramp level. The city requested proposals that clearly define modular (removable) versus permanent elements and the anticipated timeframe needed before the city would need to restore the rooftop to parking use.
